Mounting a display panel in a computer

ABSTRACT

In a method for fixing an LCD panel on a notebook PC, spring latch holders are provided on the top of the LCD panel for fixing the LCD panel and the PC body together when the LCD panel is stored on the PC body. In a second aspect, side fins are provided on both sides of the bottom of the LCD panel, sidewalls are provided on both sides of a keyboard on the PC body, and the side fins are put on the sidewalls along the outer sides thereof so as to fix the LCD panel and prevent the side-to-side movement of the LCD panel. In a third aspect, projections are provided on backside edge portions at the bottom of the LCD panel, depressions for holding the projections are provided on the PC body, and the projections are engaged in the depressions to fix the LCD panel.

[0001] When the LCD panel 52 has a touch-panel function in addition toan information display function, it is generally required from theviewpoint of usability that the LCD panel 52 is not easily moved when itis pressed. However, if the touch panel function is used with the LCDpanel 52 of FIG. 9, the operation of pressing a display portion 56 ofthe LCD panel 52 will tip back the LCD panel 52 or topple over theentire notebook PC 51. To avoid these situations, it has been necessaryto increase the torque of the hinges connecting the PC body 53 and theLCD panel 52, or to make the PC body 53 larger or heavier so as togenerate, by self weight, moment greater than that generated by thetouch-panel operation.

[0002] As permitted by the design of the clamshell notebook PC 51, auser may open the hinges 54-1 and 54-2 as much as possible when usingthe touch-panel function because the LCD panel 52 is not further movedeven when he strongly presses the LCD panel. However, the LCD panel 52becomes distant from the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a method forfixing an display panel on a notebook PC wherein operations such asinformation input can be performed without loss of usability.

[0004] Another object of the present invention is to provide a methodfor fixing a display panel on a notebook PC wherein an operator can setthe display panel in a desired position.

[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, in a computer having abody and a display panel (e.g. LCD) connected by a hinge member, sidefins are provided on both sides of the bottom of the display panel,sidewalls are provided on both sides of a keyboard on the body, and theside fins are put on the sidewalls along the outer sides thereof so asto fix the display panel and to prevent the side-to-side movement of thedisplay panel. According to another aspect of the present invention,projections are provided on backside edge portions at the bottom of thedisplay panel, depressions for holding the projections are provided onthe body, and the projections are engaged in the depressions to fix thedisplay panel. This configuration is preferred in that the motion of thepanel can be restricted and the panel can be more firmly fixed to thebody. In addition, having the side fins and projections in integralstructure can realize this configuration more easily and is thereforepreferred.

[0006] As a preferred implementation of a method for fixing the panel onthe notebook PC according to the present invention, a first hinge isprovided on the body, a second hinge is provided on the panel, and thefirst and second hinges are rotatably connected by an arm. Thisimplementation is preferred in that the panel can be firmly fixed to anyposition and thus operations such as information input can be performedwithout loss of usability.

[0007] In the preferred implementation of the present invention, thefirst hinge is configured to rotate 0° through 90° given that the angleof the main surface of the notebook PC is 0°, and the second hinge isconfigured to rotate 0° through 180° given that the angle of a planeparallel to the arm is 0°. This configuration is preferred in that itcan be applied to any implementation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an exemplarynotebook PC to which the present invention is directed;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a diagram for illustrating a method for fixing an LCDpanel according to the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a diagram for illustrating the method for fixing the LCDpanel according to the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 4 is a diagram for illustrating a configuration of springlatches according to the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating an example of the method forfixing the LCD panel according to the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating the method for fixing the LCDpanel shown in FIG. 1 in detail;

[0014] FIGS. 7(a) through (c) are diagrams each showing an exemplarystructure of side fins and projections according to the presentinvention;

[0015]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the notebook PC with theLCD panel closed; and

[0016]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventionalnotebook PC.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017]FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an exemplary notebook PC to whichthe present invention is directed. In the example shown in FIG. 1, thenotebook PC 1 according to the present invention consists of an LCDpanel 2 and a PC body 3. The LCD panel 2 and the PC body 3 are connectedby a fixing mechanism of hinges and arm, which are hidden in FIG. 1behind the LCD panel 2 and will be described later in detail.

[0018] The LCD panel 2 consists of a display portion 11 of an LCD and anLCD assembly 12 that supports the LCD. On the top of the LCD assembly 12are provided latch holders 13-1 and 13-2 for fixing the LCD panel 2 andthe PC body 3 together when the LCD panel 2 is stored on the PC body 3.Further, side fins 14-1 and 14-2 are provided on both sides of thebottom of the LCD panel 2, and projections 15-1 and 15-2 are provided tothe side fins 14-1 and 14-2. These side fins 14-1, 14-2 and projections15-1, 15-2 will be described later in detail.

[0019] The PC body 3 has a keyboard 21. The PC body 3 also has sidewalls22-1 and 22-2 on both sides of the keyboard 21, and a pair ofdepressions 23-1 a and 23-1 b and four more pairs of depressions (23-2 athrough 23-5 a and 23-2 b through 23-5 b) respectively on both sides ofthe PC body 3 beyond the keyboard 21. These sidewalls 22-1 and 22-2, anddepressions 23-1 a through 23-5 a and 23-1 b through 23-5 b, will bedescribed later in detail.

[0020] Now, a method for fixing the LCD panel 2 according to the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and 3. In theexamples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for fixing the LCD panel 2 to the PCbody 3, a first hinge 31 is provided at a concavity portion 24 on the PCbody 3 as shown in FIG. 2, a second hinge 32 is provided on the LCDpanel 2 slightly above the center line of the LCD assembly 12 as shownin FIG. 3, and further, the first hinge 31 and the second hinge 32 arerotatably connected by a plate-shaped arm 33. In the examples shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the first hinge 31 is preferably configured to rotate 0°through 90° given that the main surface of the notebook PC 1 is 0°, andthe second hinge 32 is preferably configured to rotate 0° through 180°given that a plane parallel to the arm 33 is 0°. The arm 33 has astepped portion 34 that engages with a stepped portion 35 provided onthe PC body 3 so that the arm 33 does not interfere with the LCD panel 2to be stored on the PC body 3.

[0021] In using the above-described notebook PC 1 for operations such asinformation input, it can be in various modes in which the displayportion 11 of the LCD panel 2 stands at different angles (modes 1through 6) by choosing the angles of the first hinge 31 and the secondhinge 32. Now, these modes will be described below in conjunction withnecessary parts for realizing the modes.

[0022] Mode 1 is the mode in which the angle of the display portion 11is 0°. This is when a user does not use the keyboard 21 and uses thedisplay portion 11 as a touch panel looking down from directly above thedisplay portion 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the latch holders 13-1 (13-2) atthe top of the LCD panel 2 have latches 41-1 (41-2) which are providedat corresponding positions on the PC body 3 and which are unlocked byforce above a certain level. The latch is preferably energized by anelastic part such as a spring whose one end is fixed to the body of thenotebook PC 1. A first purpose of the latches 41-1 (41-2) is to closethe LCD panel 2 evenly at the angle of 0° with a single motion.Generally, it is difficult to completely close the LCD panel 2 due tofriction remaining at the first and second hinges 31 and 32 anddeflection of the LCD panel 2. However, the spring latches 41-1 (41-2)can force the LCD panel 2 to be evenly closed with a single motion. Asecond purpose of the spring latches is to keep the LCD panel 2 stablewhen the notebook PC 1 is closed. When the notebook PC 1 is closed, itis lifted and rotated 180°. Then, the LCD panel 2 may drop off becauseit is put facedown. The spring latches 41-1 (41-2) prevent this drop ofthe LCD panel 2.

[0023] Mode 2 is the mode in which the LCD panel 2 is slightly tilted.In handwritten input, downward force is applied on the LCD panel 2.Here, to prevent the LCD panel 2 from slipping down, the side fins 14-1and 14-2 are put on the projections 22-1 and 22-2 provided on both sidesof the keyboard 21 on the PC body 3 to fix the LCD panel 2, asexemplified in FIG. 5. The torque of the first and second hinges 31 and32 also aid in fixing the LCD panel 2 to some extent. Lifting the LCDpanel 2 or forcedly pressing it down loosens the side fins 14-1 and 14-2to unlock the LCD panel 2.

[0024] In mode 3, the angle of the LCD panel 2 is rather greater. Thus,the downward force component is smaller, and only the torque of thefirst and second hinges 31 and 32 fixes the LCD panel 2. The side fins14-1 and 14-2 are put on an edge 42 on a side of the keyboard 21 (seeFIG. 5) to fix the LCD panel 2.

[0025] In mode 4, in which the angle of the LCD panel 2 is furthergreater, the downward force component is smaller, and a horizontal forcecomponent prevails accordingly. Particularly, a component to lift thedisplay portion is developed. Thus, it is necessary to fix the LCD panel2 against these forces of two directions. For this purpose, theprojections 15-1 and 15-2 provided on the bottom edges of the LCD panel2 engage with the depressions 23-1 a through 23-5 a and 23-1 b through23-5 b beyond the keyboard 21 so that the LCD panel 2 is locked alongthe horizontal direction as shown in FIGS. 1 through 6. The projections15-1 and 15-2, and the depressions 23-1 a through 23-5 a and 23-1 bthrough 23-5 b, are wedge-shaped to fit each other.

[0026] The backmost depressions 23-5 a and 23-5 b can fix the LCD panel2 in a different way as follows. When the LCD panel 2 is to be fixed tothe most upright position as in FIG. 1, it is moved to the maximumrotation position where the arm 33 touches the stepped portion 27 as inFIG. 2, and then it is directed upright. Now, the bottom of the LCDpanel 2 interferes with the horizontal plane of the PC body at aposition in front of the depressions 23-5 a and 23-5 b. Then, the arm 33and the LCD panel 2 are flexed by a further force to allow the secondhinge 32 to rotate, so that the projections 15-1 and 15-2 engage withthe backmost depressions 23-5 a and 23-5 b. This configuration ispreferred in that the projections deeply engage with the depressions andthe LCD panel is firmly fixed.

[0027] Mode 5 is a mode in which the bottom of the LCD panel 2 iscompletely suspended above the PC body 3. This mode is used in such asituation that a user looks down the display portion 11 of the LCD panel2 at a place where only a little space is available in front of theuser, such as in a seat on an airplane. The LCD panel 2 is fixed only bythe forces of the first and second hinges 31 and 32.

[0028] Mode 6 is used when a user shows the display portion 11 of theLCD panel 2 to a person in front of the user. The first hinge 31 isrotated almost 90° while the second hinge 32 is kept at the angle of 0°.Display on the display portion 11 is flipped by 180° with software.

[0029] FIGS. 7(a) through (c) show an exemplary structure of the sidefins 14-1 and 14-2 used in mode 2 and 3, and of the projections 15-1 and15-2 used in mode 4. As shown in FIG. 7(a) through (c), the side fin14-1 (only one of the side fins is shown here) and the projection 15-1are integrally structured. Further, above the projection 15-1 areprovided convex portions 43, which prevent the LCD panel 2 from slippingwhen the LCD panel 2 is raised from the state shown in FIG. 8 withfingers put on the edges of the LCD panel 2.

[0030] As apparent from the foregoing description, a first hinge isprovided on a PC body, a second hinge is provided on an LCD panel, andan arm rotatably connects the first and second hinges. Thus, the presentinvention enables the LCD panel to be fixed to any position so thatoperations such as information input can be performed without loss ofusability.

1. A computer comprising a body, a display unit, and a hinge memberrotatably connecting a back of the display unit with the body, whereinthe body comprises a stepped portion having latches at a side thereof;the display unit comprises latch holders at a top thereof; and thelatches engage with the latch holders when a panel plane of the displayunit is positioned parallel to an upper plane of the stepped portion. 2.A computer comprising a body, a display unit, and a hinge memberrotatably connecting a back of the display unit with the body, whereinthe body comprises a keyboard portion having sidewalls, the display unitcomprises a side fin disposed at each side of a bottom of the displayunit; and wherein side fins engage the sidewalls when the bottom of thedisplay unit is positioned over the keyboard portion.
 3. The computer ofclaim 2, wherein the display unit comprises projections at the bottomthereof; the body includes depressions located between the keyboardportion and a connection of the hinge member on the body; and whereinthe projections engage with the depressions to locate the display unitat a predefined position with respect to the body.
 4. The computer ofclaim 2, the hinge member comprising a first hinge provided on the PCbody, a second hinge provided on the display panel and the first andsecond hinges being rotatably connected by an arm.
 5. The computer ofclaim 2 wherein the display unit has a touch-panel function.
 6. Thecomputer of claim 3 wherein the side fins and the projections aredefined in an integral structure.
 7. The computer of claim 4, whereinthe first hinge is configured to rotate 0° through 90° where the angleof a main surface of the notebook PC is 0°, and the second hinge isconfigured to rotate 0° through 180° where the angle of a plane parallelto the arm is 0°.
 8. A computer comprising a body, a display unit and ahinge member rotatably connecting a back of the display unit with thebody wherein: the display unit comprises projections at a bottomthereof; the body includes depressions located between the keyboardportion and a connection of the hinge member on the body, and whereinthe projections engage with the depressions to locate the display unitat a predefined position with respect to the body.
 9. A method forfixing an LCD panel on a notebook PC, wherein, for fixing the LCD panelto a body of the notebook, side fins are provided on both sides of thebottom of the LCD panel, sidewalls are provided on both sides of akeyboard on the PC body, and the side fins are put on the sidewallsalong the outer sides thereof to fix the LCD panel.
 10. A method forfixing an LCD panel on a notebook PC, wherein, for fixing the LCD panelto a body of the notebook, projections are provided on backside edgeportions at the bottom of the LCD panel, depressions for holding theprojections are provided on the PC body, and the projections are engagedin the depressions to fix the LCD panel.